In 2011 Medtronic Twin Cities Marathon started using water hydrants for fluid stations for competitors in place of bottled water. They work closely with the City of Minneapolis Public Works Department to coordinate the use of the hydrants for event day. Permits are filed for applications to use the hydrants. The city then tests, cleans and preps each location in anticipation of the event. The city also provides food grade hoses that they wash and sterilised before the event. Water is stored in 44 gallon plastic barrels that are lined with food grade liners. Pitchers are used to fill the runner’s cups. When not in use, the barrels are covered with lids. Apart from the waste savings, using hydrants prevents organisers the hard labour of having to open up, by hand from having to open over 6 000 bottles of water....

Water on Wheels, also known as ‘WOW’, is a mobile water service based in Canada. Founded in 2010, WOW is committed to minimising the use of commercially-bottled water at events by providing mobile water refill stations in key locations. WOW refill stations are utilised by festivals, corporate and athletic events, street shows and other public events to offer chilled and filtered water at no cost to event-goers. WOW refill stations each feature four faucets and are connected to existing water sources, such as fire hydrants, to ensure that water never runs out. Refill stations require no electricity to run, and enable event organisers to radically decrease or even eliminate the use of commercially-bottled water at their events. WOW also maintains a list of ‘Blue Communities’ – communities that have banned the use of commercially packaged bottled water, on which more than forty Canadian municipalities are listed. WOW provides an environmentally-friendly alternative to commercially-bottled water, and a large event serviced by WOW can save up to 25 000 bottles of commercially-packaged water....

Set up water refill stations or have people with water backpack tanks as mobile refillers. Sell or give away branded refillable water bottles. Don’t sell any packaged water. This is a great sponsorship opportunity. Be aware of giving away cheap bottles as they are tempting to throw away. Make the artwork on the bottle special so people will want to keep it, or only sell high quality bottles as part of the merchandise range. Water on Wheels VELD Festival 2012 ZIP Water Refill Stations Sydney Festival Tranquil Springs (Australia) Water Refill Station...

The mobile water distribution system for events and crowds. The WaterMonster system is the modern and efficient way of hydrating event participants and relief workers. We have developed the ideal method for delivering bulk water to any thirsty crowd. The WaterMonster units are easy to set up, maintain and use. Our water distribution tanks are scalable, environmentally responsible, cost effective and reduce staffing costs....